Setback to Raj Thackeray's MNS as four ex-legislators join BJP

Mumbai, Jan 13: The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Tuesday received a jolt as four of its former legislators joined the ruling BJP here.

Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve inducted the four former MLAs-- Pravin Darekar, Vasant Gite, Ramesh Patil and Kashinath Megal-- along with some other former office bearers of zilla parishads and panchayat samitis.

The move would further weaken the MNS which got routed in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The party had drawn a blank in the 2014 general elections and won only one seat in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly last year as opposed to 13 seats in 2009.

On the occasion, Danve said the new entrants have come to the BJP fold due to their faith in the leadership of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

To a query on corruption charges against Darekar, Danve said, "There are mere allegations and nothing has been proved. Once corruption is proved, that person will no longer remain in BJP."